If it is Antonio Conte’s final match as Chelsea manager, then it couldn't be more fitting that the FA Cup final would be against Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.

During his two seasons at the Blues, he has not had as an intense a rivalry with anybody else than Mourinho, a man who still casts a shadow over Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese manager remains the most successful head coach in Chelsea’s history, and while he keeps picking up trophies he will continue to have that hold over his former club.

Conte’s battles with Mourinho stem from the very first game that they faced each other in England. On the day, Chelsea were utterly sumptuous in their decimation of the Red Devils, cruising past them for a 4-0 victory at Stamford Bridge that marked the unhappiest of returns for Mourinho.

But it was at full-time that seemed to affect visiting manager the most, whispering in Conte’s ear that he was not happy with the way the Italian celebrated the fourth and final goal.

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The season of 2015/16 still lingers in the pallet for many, and while a Premier League trophy in Conte’s debut season went some way to washing that away, but not completely.

In a formula of boom and bust, Mourinho’s presence in the Premier League is a reminder of the manager Chelsea once had, but with his style of football being hammered around the country it comes of a reminder of what Chelsea don’t need.

The FA Cup is on the line and that should be enough motivation for anyone, especially with a campaign that has failed to see the Blues qualify for the Champions League next year after the Premier League title defence ended in farcical fashion with the 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon

But it also comes as a chance for Conte to end his time at Chelsea, if that is indeed the case, on a massive high against his most fierce-some rival.

There wouldn’t be any sweeter moment for the Italian and the Blues fans to see Gary Cahill raise the trophy high above his head, while Mourinho can only look up and on and face a trophyless season.